Chapter 242 - 213: Treading the Waves

Before entering seclusion, he had given strict orders not to be disturbed unless absolutely necessary. He needed to make the most of this time to rapidly improve his strength and push his Physical Ability to the peak he’d reached in his previous life.

His strength was now crucial to the Martial Arts Association, so for someone to interrupt his seclusion, something important must have happened.

He slowly calmed the deep rhythms within his body, stood, and opened the door to the stone chamber.

He saw Lu Yuanxiang standing outside the stone chamber. The man behind him was also quite familiar to Zhao Xuanqi: Sun Yunyong of the National Salvation Association’s Divine Martial Department.

"Xuanqi, Mr. Sun said he had something important to discuss and requested a meeting. I had no choice but to disturb your seclusion."

Lu Yuanxiang said to Zhao Xuanqi.

In truth, the upper echelons of the Martial Arts Association were all aware that Zhao Xuanqi had ties to the National Salvation Association. But given the current situation, the National Salvation Association was on their side. During the great martial contest for the realm, if the National Salvation Association’s three great generals hadn’t mobilized simultaneously to pin down the forces of several Warlords, the contest would likely have had a very different outcome.

And in the current climate, the National Salvation Association was a force the Martial Arts Association could call upon for aid; to some extent, they were on the same side.

However, this connection was highly sensitive. No one would speak of it openly, as doing so would cause unnecessary trouble.

That was why the Martial Arts Association hadn’t dared to slight the request for a meeting from a member of the National Salvation Association, and had interrupted Zhao Xuanqi’s seclusion.

After explaining the situation, Lu Yuanxiang turned and left, giving the two some privacy. He had no interest in prying into such sensitive matters.

Sun Yunyong gave Zhao Xuanqi a slight nod, then walked into the stone chamber and pulled the stone door shut.

"What’s so important?"

Zhao Xuanqi didn’t beat around the bush and asked directly.

Although he hadn’t formally joined the National Salvation Association, they had indeed provided him with significant help, and their interests were aligned. He was the type of person who repaid his debts, so if the National Salvation Association had a request, he wouldn’t simply ignore it.

"Minister Yang has come to Jinmen. He wants to meet with you."

Sun Yunyong said in a low voice.

’Minister Yang?’

Zhao Xuanqi’s eyes narrowed slightly.

He knew exactly who this Minister Yang was.

One of the National Salvation Association’s three Harmony masters, the minister of the Divine Martial Department, a man known as "Undying" Yang Xun.

This was a man with a towering reputation throughout the entire Martial Arts Realm of the Divine Land, a pinnacle existence. He had participated in numerous crucial events and was said to be an army unto himself. His very appearance could stir up tidal waves. The great Warlords considered him a thorn in their side and were desperate to eliminate him.

Ever since getting involved with the National Salvation Association, he had been immensely curious about such figures.

’Just what are the strongest experts of this world capable of?’

In truth, the Three Elders could also be counted among the top-tier masters. Strictly speaking, however, their methods weren’t purely of the Martial Dao, nor had they achieved true Harmony. Therefore, they were of limited use to Zhao Xuanqi as a reference.

’A man like that has secretly entered Jinmen?’

"Time and place."

Zhao Xuanqi said directly.

’I’ll see for myself what one of the National Salvation Association’s three great generals is really like.’

...

...

That afternoon, Zhao Xuanqi and Sun Yunyong put on light disguises and secretly left the Martial Arts Association Headquarters.

In reality, the area around the Martial Arts Association Headquarters was swarming with an innumerable number of spies and scouts from the major powers. It was no exaggeration to say that if even a single fly flew into the Association, it would be noted by the surrounding lookouts.

And Zhao Xuanqi was their most important target.

But what kind of person was Zhao Xuanqi? Having entered the Harmony realm, he could control his body at will, drastically altering his physique in an instant. With a light disguise, further aided by a few strategically placed needles from Zhang Hongyun, he could transform into a completely different person, leaving no flaws to be seen.

Without such skills, how could he have been so elusive in his past life?

Thus, Zhao Xuanqi easily fooled the surrounding surveillance. They were completely unaware that he had assumed the identity of a Martial Arts Association staff member and nonchalantly walked right out the main gate.

After leaving the Martial Arts Association and rounding a corner a block away, Zhao Xuanqi and Sun Yunyong got into a car. A waiting member of the National Salvation Association started the engine and drove them to a small house near a port. They rested there until nightfall, at which point Sun Yunyong led them to board a large fishing boat that headed out to sea.

’The meeting is at sea?’

Zhao Xuanqi was slightly surprised, but he didn’t say anything, merely closing his eyes to rest. Yang Xun’s status was unique; if his location were exposed, it would cause a tremendous uproar. They couldn’t be too careful.

The fishing boat sailed for over an hour, avoiding the main shipping lanes and fishing zones as it headed for a more remote stretch of sea.

The sky was not clear that night. Dark clouds obscured the moon and stars, making the surface of the sea look exceptionally gloomy. Visibility was poor.

Waves rose and fell, the wind howled and the surf surged. The deep, foreboding darkness of the water was enough to instill a sense of terror.

CRACK-BOOM!!

Suddenly, a flash of light split the darkness as a bolt of lightning struck down, followed by a deafening clap of thunder.

WHOOSH!!

The wind howled and the waves churned as a heavy downpour suddenly began to fall from the sky.

The heavens were not on their side.

"It’s raining! Get back in the cabin!"

The few hands on the fishing boat were all members of the National Salvation Association. One of them shouted, not daring to remain on deck any longer.

The fishing boat was instantly tossed about by the waves like a lone skiff, adrift on the current. It was impossible for an ordinary person to keep their footing on deck; even Sun Yunyong had to retreat into the cabin to take shelter from the rain.